HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY                      239

    John Travis, native of eastern Pennsylvania, was born May 8, 1821.
In 1833, at the age of twelve years, he came with the family to eastern
Ohio, locating near Ragersville, Tuscarawas county. The days of his
boyhood were spent partly on the farm and partly in the mill, his father
having been a miller by trade. Before reaching the age of his majority
he began school teaching, in which he soon won an enviable reputation,
his services having been sought at many different points. In 1841 and
1842 he taught at Farmersville, Holmes county, and New Bedford,
Coshocton county, respectively.
    In the month of October, 1843, he married Miss Mary Ann Mos-
holder, of Tuscarawas county, a native of Somerset county, Pennsylvania.
He then engaged in farming, but continued teaching the usual three
months’ term of winter school for several years, for which he received
in payment from $13 to $15 per month of twenty-six days.
    In October, 1854, he came to Owen county, Indiana, locating on a
farm of eighty acres which he had previously bought, near Marion Mills.
In 1859 he removed to Lancaster, taking charge of the mercantile house
of Black & Co., and the succeeding year engaged in merchandising for
himself, where he continued in business until the fall of 1866, when he
returned to the farm. A vacancy occurring at this time in the office of
school examiner for Owen county, he was appointed by the board of
commissioners to fill the position until June, 1868. In the latter part of
the year 1869, he engaged in the grocery trade at Ashhoro, Clay county,
and in the spring of 1870 moved his stock of goods to the farm, having
put up a business room for the purpose. In February, 1871, he quit
the farm, having become proprietor of the Marion Mills, which he
operated for three years.
    On the 15th day of June, 1873, after a protracted and painful sick-
ness, his wife died. In the winter of 1873-74 he disposed of his interests
in the mill and, his daughters having married, he discontinued house-
keeping. In the early spring of 1874 he located at Bowling Green,
engaging as a salesman in the house of Black & Thompson.
    On the 31st of March, 1875, he married Mrs. Margaret J. Hunt, of
Bowling Green, who still survives. From the time of their marriage
up to the time of his death he was associated with her in the millinery
business. By his first wife he had nine children, six sons and three
daughters, seven of whom, five sons and two daughters, survive. Mr.
Travis served as justice of the peace in the state of Ohio, and in both
Owen and Clay counties, Indiana, his terms of service in this capacity
covering a period of many years, and such was the confidence of the
public in the soundness of his judgment and his love of justice that but
very few appeals were ever taken from his decisions, and it is said that
in no instance did the higher courts reverse his findings. During eight
consecutive years of his protracted service in this position not one litigant
asked for a jury. Though unpretentious in his legal acumen and ability,
he was constantly consulted by his neighbors, and even by members of the
legal fraternity, and his counsel was always regarded practical, sound
and safe.
    In him the qualities of firmness and moral courage were happily
blended. So strong were his convictions and so sincere his devotions
to the right that no proffered reward nor threat of violence could swerve
him a line from the path of duty—a true specimen of God’s noblest work
an honest man. Though not loud in his professions, he exemplified the